Reborn to Walk Away

When my eyes snapped open, I was back in the comfort of my living room. Alessandro Colombo was helping Anna inside, supporting her step by step.

“This is Anna, the woman Lorenzo could never stop worrying about at his deathbed. In his final moments, he made me promise repeatedly that I would take care of her and their unborn baby.

Alessandro’s tone of voice was firm, leaving no room for objection.

“Now that I’ve taken over the Colombo, you, as my wife, should be there for her.”

Not breaking eye contact, Anna extended her hand. Her gaze was unwavering. “Donna, pleased to meet you.”

My gaze fell on her finger.

A sapphire ring with the biggest gemstone, its glimmer chilling, sat on her finger.

Alessandro had spared no expense to win the ring at an auction years ago. I thought that it was meant to be my engagement ring from him, as the initials of our names were engraved on the inside of the band.

Yet now, the ring fit snugly onto Anna’s finger.

In my past life, I was outraged to see the ring on someone else, so I grilled Alessandro right there and then.

Annoyed, Alessandro brushed me off and accused me of being hysterical.

Since I refused to let Anna move in, Alessandro put her up in another manor.

No one would have guessed that Anna lost the baby in an accident as soon as she stepped out.

Alessandro put the blame on himself.

I spent the rest of my life paying the price.

When we had children of our own later in life, I thought Alessandro had moved on from Anna.

It wasn’t until an illness threatened to take away my life that I realized that he had another family with Anna out there.

In that home, Anna gave Alessandro a family, and they lived a sweet, blissful life.

Even our children resented me for taking Anna’s place.

“A Colombo Don can’t even be with his true love. You have trapped Papa in this marriage all his life. Can’t you set him free?”

I coughed up blood in rage.

Even when I breathed my last, I never saw Alessandro again.

Now that I had a second chance at life, I chose to grant them their happily-ever-after.

The moment Alessandro showed up at the house alongside Anna, I gave my permission to let her stay instead of kicking up a fuss.

Alessandro was taken aback by my quick reply.

“So… you’re not against it?”

I smiled indifferently.

“Of course not. She’s your sister-in-law, pregnant with Lorenzo’s baby. It’s only right to take good care of her.”

He narrowed his eyes skeptically at me.

His suspicion didn’t come out of nowhere.

Before, I couldn’t stand any woman around him and did everything to push them away.

Now, I simply pulled out a stack of paperwork, slipping the divorce papers right in the back. I peeled back the papers just enough to show the signature section before presenting them to Alessandro.

“I’m dying for this piece of jewelry. I won’t be upset if you buy this for me. In fact, I’ll make sure Anna gets the best care.”

Alessandro was stunned at first, but he quickly chuckled dotingly.

“Is that all? You’re my Donna. You can have everything your heart desires.”

He scribbled his signature without even looking at the price.

I stared at the divorce papers, my grin carrying a sense of release.

Tucking away the document, I turned and made my way out.

Alessandro wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, and I froze.

Back then, whenever he returned home late at night, he would come up behind me, holding me close and brushing soft kisses down my neck.

“Thank you for being so understanding, Amora. This is wonderful.”

I could feel something stirring within.

However, Alessandro then murmured in my ear, “You’ll be responsible for Anna’s nutrition from now on. She prefers foie gras but doesn’t care for broccoli. The doctor has advised her to eat more greens, though.”

I felt a squeeze in my heart.

He was attentive to Anna to the point of remembering even the smallest details about her.

As his wife, I didn’t receive the same level of care.

Foie gras had been my lifelong allergy. The mere mention of the food gave me goosebumps all over my arms and made my stomach churn.

Gulping down the bitterness, I nodded with composure. “Sure.”

I stepped out of the manor and went to the nearest civil court.

“Mrs. Colombo, your petition for a divorce has been processed. Your marriage to Mr. Colombo will be officially terminated in ten days.”

I nodded.

It would be over in ten days.

In just ten days, I would be cut off from the man.